Business Details
24 Years
experience
Trusted Fee-Only Financial Advisers in Louisville
Coats Financial Planning is a pioneering financial advisory firm founded on the principles of fiduciary responsibility and Fee-Only compensation. Established over two decades ago in Louisville, we specialize in comprehensive financial planning and investment advice for clients across Kentucky, Indiana, Florida, and a dozen other states. Our team of five CFP professionals brings combined experience exceeding 40 years, serving approximately 150 clients on an ongoing retainer basis. We maintain strict independence by prohibiting product sales, ensuring all compensation derives directly from client fees. Our approach emphasizes tax planning expertise, low-cost investments, and retirement strategy mastery, with a focus on long-term client relationships. The firm's founders and advisors have held prestigious positions at General Electric and Ford Motor Co., bringing corporate financial rigor to personal wealth management.We distinguish ourselves through rigorous analytical methodology, adherence to NAPFA's fiduciary oath, and a commitment to transparency that eliminates conflicts of interest. Our client-centric model prioritizes middle-class values and fair treatment, serving individuals, families, and trusts through three primary client profiles: early-mid career professionals, late-career/early retirees, and retirees. The retainer-based fee structure ensures continuous access to financial expertise without asset minimums, while our compliance framework meets the highest industry standards.
Services
Financial Planning
Investment Advice
Tax Planning
Retirement Strategy
Estate Planning
Details
- Year established: 2002
Highlights and features
- We operate under a strict fiduciary oath with NAPFA registration
- Our team includes five CFP professionals with 40+ combined years experience
- We maintain client relationships through ongoing retainer agreements
- We specialize in tax-efficient retirement planning strategies
- We use low-cost, transparent investment approaches without hidden fees
Associations and certifications
- NAPFA
- CFP Board
What people say
Fiduciary commitment
Tax planning expertise
Retirement strategy mastery
Long-term client relationships
Transparent fee structure
Services
Financial Planning
Our comprehensive financial planning service creates personalized strategies for wealth management, risk assessment, and long-term financial goals. We analyze clients' complete financial situations to develop tailored roadmaps that address investment allocation, tax efficiency, and retirement readiness. The service includes ongoing adjustments to adapt to changing life circumstances and market conditions.
Investment Advice
We provide expert investment guidance focused on low-cost, tax-efficient strategies using primarily indexed investments. Our approach emphasizes diversification and asset location rather than market timing, avoiding high-fee products like hedge funds. The service includes continuous portfolio monitoring and rebalancing to maintain alignment with clients' financial objectives.
Tax Planning
Our tax planning service identifies strategies to maximize after-tax returns across all stages of life. We analyze current and projected tax situations to implement efficient withdrawal strategies, tax-deferred growth opportunities, and estate tax considerations. The service helps clients retain more of their wealth through legal tax reduction methods.
Retirement Strategy
We specialize in creating sustainable retirement income plans that coordinate pensions, Social Security, and investment portfolios. Our expertise addresses complex retirement puzzles through tax-efficient withdrawal sequences and longevity planning. The service includes scenario analysis to ensure financial security throughout extended retirement periods.
Estate Planning
Our estate planning service coordinates with legal professionals to ensure proper asset distribution and tax minimization. We focus on creating efficient wealth transfer strategies that align with clients' charitable intentions and family needs. The service includes analysis of trust structures, beneficiary designations, and legacy planning options.
People
Stuart Coats
Founder, President and Senior Financial Planner
30-year finance veteran with experience at General Electric and Ford Motor Co., holding MBA from Indiana University and BBA from University of Kentucky. NAPFA-registered advisor with fiduciary oath commitment.
Teri Christensen
Senior Financial Planner
Certified Financial Planner with decade of experience, specializing in family financial transitions. Holds Finance degree and MBA from University of Louisville, with personal experience navigating complex life changes.
Emily Beilman
Senior Financial Planner
CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER with 5 years at fee-only RIA in St. Louis. Specializes in client relationship building and fiduciary advocacy, graduated from WKU's Center for Financial Success program.
Tabitha Thomas
Financial Planner
CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER graduate Magna Cum Laude from Western Kentucky University. Focuses on making financial planning accessible while emphasizing personalized plan creation for client empowerment.
Anna Coats
Chief Compliance Officer
20+ years corporate compliance experience at Ford and GE. Holds Mechanical Engineering degrees and Certified Compliance and Ethics Professional designation from Society of Corporate Compliance and Ethics.
Questions
What makes Coats Financial Planning different from other advisors?
We operate under a strict Fee-Only model with fiduciary responsibility, prohibiting product sales and conflicts of interest while maintaining NAPFA registration and CFP expertise.
Do you work with clients outside Kentucky?
Yes, we serve clients in Indiana, Florida, and a dozen other states through virtual consultations and ongoing retainer relationships.
What experience does your team have?
Our five CFP professionals have 40+ combined years of experience, including corporate finance roles at General Electric and Ford Motor Co.
How are your fees structured?
We use a complexity-based retainer model starting at $500/month, not asset-based fees, with no minimum assets but minimum service commitment.
What client profiles do you serve?
We specialize in early-mid career professionals, late-career/early retirees, and retirees requiring comprehensive financial planning and investment management.
Do you offer one-time consultations?
No, we only work with clients under ongoing retainer agreements to ensure continuous financial guidance and relationship development.
